May 2, 20234 min read

MAKE THE SWITCH TO ECO-FRIENDLY CLEANING PRODUCTS

We all want our homes to be spotless. However, if you're really considering the environmental impact of the products you use in your home, your cleaning supplies may be a good place to start.

According to Dr. Anna Watson of the environmental charity CHEM Trust, "There are many different chemicals used in cleaning products, and we know that some of them are harmful to wildlife and to human health." According to Mintel research, more than half (55%) of consumers believe that there should be more environmentally friendly cleaning products on the market. However, finding eco-friendly cleaners doesn't have to be expensive; in fact, many of them are likely already in your kitchen cabinets.

We made the decision to substitute soda crystals, bicarbonate of soda, and distilled white vinegar for name-brand cleaners. This is how they compared.

1. OVENS

For greasy surfaces, prepare a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water, apply it all over, let it sit for 20 minutes, and then spray it with distilled white vinegar. When it stops fizzing, use a clean sponge dipped in hot water to remove the residue. Repeat this process until no more greasy cooking stains are visible.

Pour 250g of soda crystals into a sink full of hot water and swirl until they dissolve to clean oven shelves. If shelves don't fit in the sink, turn them over and repeat the process. Soak shelves for an hour, then scrub baked-on food off with a scrunched-up ball of foil. Thoroughly rinse, then let air dry.

Elbow grease required: ★★★★★ — A lot!

Effectiveness: ★★★

CONCLUSION:

"I did manage to shift the build-up of grease from the inside of the oven using bicarb paste, vinegar, and elbow grease, but there were baked-on spills that I just couldn't get off, even by scraping them with a plastic spatula."

2. HOBS

Apply distilled white vinegar to the hob and clean it with a microfiber cloth. Cast-iron pan supports can be cleaned by scrubbing with a washing-up brush after soaking in a sink of warm water and 250g of soda crystals to loosen food residue.

On gas burners made of aluminum, however, avoid using soda crystals.

Elbow grease required ★★ — Very little

Effectiveness ★★★★

CONCLUSION:

"Good outcomes, provided I responded fast to food spillage. Egg and pancake batter was difficult to remove once it had solidified, so a plastic spatula was used to aid.

3. KITCHEN SURFACES

Spray surfaces with water, then wipe them down with a microfiber cloth while frequently rinsing it in warm water. Spray distilled white vinegar on food spills that have dried on and wait a few minutes before scrubbing with a rough microfiber cloth.

Elbow grease required: ★ — Hardly any

Effectiveness: ★★★★★

CONCLUSION:

Overall excellent cleaning results, but I had to take a leap of faith to stop using my antibacterial surface spray.

4. HARD FLOORING

A variety of hard flooring types respond well to the e-cloth Deep Clean Mop. The microfiber mop head should first be soaked in water, wrung out, and then reattached to the mop. When cleaning a sizable area of flooring, you should periodically remove the mop head, rinse it and then replace it. After cleaning, the machine washes the head at 60°C (but first, check the care instructions).

Elbow grease required: ★ — Hardly any

Effectiveness: ★★★★★

CONCLUSION:

"My floors looked just as good as they do with cleaner added to the water, and dirt was just as easy to shift."

5. TAPS, SINKS, BASINS, AND SHOWER SCREENS

Spray distilled white vinegar on the surface and give it five minutes to work. Use a coarse microfiber cloth to clean, and then a finer one to polish.

Just be aware that vinegar can damage gold-plated tap finishes, so avoid using it on them. Stick with a professional cleaner instead.

Elbow grease required: ★ — Hardly any

Effectiveness: ★★★★★

CONCLUSION:

"Glittering surfaces with minimal effort. I'm convinced.

IS IT HYGENIC?

Can you really keep germs at bay by cleaning without chemicals, even though it could be healthier for the environment?

Actually, the answer is yes, though more study is required to determine whether non-chemical techniques are effective against a wider variety of germs.

According to Dr. Darshna Yagnik, an immunologist at Middlesex University London, studies have shown that vinegar can destroy a variety of bacteria, including E. coli, which is frequently linked to food poisoning, as long as it's at least 5% in strength.

A study commissioned by e-cloth discovered that its Glass & Polishing cloth can remove E. coli from hard surfaces just as effectively as a disinfectant when used with water. After use, the machine washes the cloth at the maximum temperature recommended per the care instructions.

Although we wouldn't advise It's encouraging to know that some chemical-free cleaning techniques can provide protection against germs rather than completely giving up disinfectants (particularly for tasks like cleaning the toilet or if you live with anybody who has a reduced immune system).

CHECK THE LABEL

We chose to use conventional cleaning techniques rather than cleaners that make environmental claims because it is difficult to determine just how ecologically friendly the formulation of these cleaners is. The "eco credentials" of a product may refer to the product's packaging or manufacturing process, among other things.

GO GREEN, SAVE MONEY

We spent a third less by using the same amount of distilled white vinegar, 1 kg of soda crystals, and 500 g of bicarb in place of the cleaners we usually use! Search for all of the aforementioned items on Amazon or Lakeland, or try Wilko White Vinegar Cleaning Spray.